Hong Kong Arts and Culture Brought to New York
Hong Kong's rich repertoire of arts and culture has been brought to New York in the "Spotlight Hong Kong" exhibition organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY).

Held for the first time in the Time Warner Center at the epicenter of New York City, from February 25 to March 3, the exhibition features themes of Hong Kong's heritage in festivals, the film industry, the street markets through an American artist's impression, and performing arts with dance costumes display.

Details here.

Hong Kong and US continue to strengthen strong economic ties
Economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the United States (US) grew from strength to strength last year, with more direct flights, bumper trade and co-operation in combating tax evasion, said the Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, at the February 19 Chinese New Year Reception organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY). Also speaking at the occasion, the Director of HKETONY, Mr Steve Barclay, said aside from promoting closer economic, investment and trade ties, his office also aims to foster cultural ties between Hong Kong and the 31 eastern states. Details here.

HKU alumni in NY ushered in Year of Ram in ETO!
Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY) Steve Barclay joined the Chinese New Year celebration organised by the New York Chapter of Hong Kong University (HKU) Alumni and called on young professionals to consider working and staying in Hong Kong, which is geared to implement a number of immigration measures to facilitate talents and professionals from overseas to work in the cosmopolitan city to meet the demands for growing economy and professional expertise. Details here.

Director forges closer trade ties with South Carolina
Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, Steve Barclay highlighted the various opportunities Hong Kong offers for South Carolina businesses and students in a visit to South Carolina. Details here.

Director promotes business and trade ties in Alabama
On his first official visit to Alabama, January 21-22, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY), Steve Barclay, called on Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey to exchange views on mutual cooperation between Hong Kong and the state. Details here.

HKETONY director covers many topics at Yale fireside chat
Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, Steve Barclay, spoke to faculty members and students on November 20 as part of the Yale-China Fireside Chats series. Details here.

HKETONY hosts first forum to foster HK-US medical ties
To foster Hong Kong – U.S. exchanges on medical education and healthcare, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, in partnership with the Chinese American Society of Nephrology, held the first forum titled “Vision and Innovation: Global Medical Education and Healthcare from Hong Kong to the U.S.” in the historical Union League in Philadelphia on November 14. Details here.

Economic and Trade Ties Between Hong Kong and U.S. Staunchly Supported in Windy City
Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr. Clement Leung highlighted business opportunities between Hong Kong and Illinois at the “Hong Kong Meets Chicago” reception held in Chicago on November 12.

On his first official visit to Chicago, Mr. Leung said the robust economic relationship between Hong Kong and the U.S., coupled with Hong Kong’s strategic location and its unique advantage of being the premier two-way gateway for Mainland China, makes Hong Kong an ideal base for Illinois companies wishing to set up or expand operations. Details here.

Hong Kong Ballet débuts to critical acclaim at Northrop in Minneapolis
The Hong Kong Ballet, led by Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, performed the dramatic and romantic story ballet Turandot, to critical acclaim at Northrop’s Carlson Family Stage at University of Minnesota on November 6 and 7. Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, Mr Steve Barclay hosted a reception on November 7 to congratulate the performers and laud their talents. Details here.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York Presents Charity Checks
Three New York-based nonprofit groups received US$7,500 on behalf of participants of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (HKDBF-NY) 2014 Charity Boat Race at today's (November 6) press conference held at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York. Details here.

Andrew Lau's first Hollywood film premieres at Boston festival
Hong Kong director Andrew Lau’s first Hollywood film, “Revenge of the Green Dragons,” received applause from a packed theatere in its Boston premiere on October 23. The event was sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY). Details here.

Financial Secretary Meets Local Hong Kong Community
Hong Kong Financial Secretary, John Tsang, met with a group of former Hong Kong emigrants who are either working or studying here in the US at a reception hosted by the HKETONY on Saturday, October 11. Details here.

HK film strengths and talents highlighted in BAM
Hong Kong Financial Secretary John C. Tsang noted the vast HK-US co-production opportunities for filmmakers to tap the Mainland Chinese market in his remarks made at a reception in the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) on October 6. Details here.

Secretary for Environment visits New York City
Hong Kong Secretary for the Environment, Mr. Wong Kam-sing, visited New York on September 22-23 to represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government at the C40 Steering Committee Meeting. He also took the opportunity to learn more about the United States' experience in green building development, low-carbon living and other issues related to energy and the environment, especially those applicable to a high-rise urban context. Details here.

Hong Kong artist Chloe Ho's work featured in Forbes' Galleries
Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York Steve Barclay hoped that more distinguished Hong Kong artists like Chloe Ho could showcase their work in the U.S.. He also looked forward to more Americans visiting the West Kowloon Cultural District and exploring any cultural and arts exchanges in future.

Speaking at the opening of Chloe Ho Solo Exhibition at the Forbes Galleries, New York on September 18, he said the works of young Hong Kong artists informed a very vibrant and blossoming art scene in Hong Kong. The city is now a magnet for international and local art galleries because of its fast growth into a top art auction and fair hub in recent years. While Christie’s and Sotheby’s have often registered record arts sales in their auctions in HK, the Art Basel HK has boosted record numbers of exhibitors and visitors since its inception in 2013. Details here.

HK film maestro Patrick Lung Kong receives life time achievement award from Tsui Hark in New York
Hong Kong legendary director Patrick Lung Kong was honoured with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the Hong Kong cinema at the opening of a namesake retrospective in New York on August 15 (New York time).

Internationally famed Hong Kong director Tsui Hark specially flew in to present Lung Kong with the award at the "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: The Cinema of Patrick Lung Kong" retrospective, sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY). Details here.

Director Welcomes Bruce Lee Wax Figure to Madame Tussauds New York
Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, Mr Steve Barclay joined Madame Tussauds general manager at an unveiling ceremony for a Bruce Lee figure at the museum in Times Square, New York on Wednesday (August 13). At the ceremony, Mr Barclay said, “Bruce Lee, born and educated in the U.S., had lived and grown up in Hong Kong. He transcended East and West, making him a cultural phenomenon. Details here.

Director Pays Courtesy Visits
Mr Steve Barclay, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETO-NY) met with Ambassador LIU Jieyi, Permanent Representative of China to United Nations and Ambassador SUN Guoxiang, Chinese Consul-General to NY on 12 August 2014 to update them on the work of HKETO-NY and the successful implementation of "One Country Two Systems" in Hong Kong. They also exchanged views on the latest developments in Hong Kong and a wide range of global economic issues. Details here.

New Director officiates at 24th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York
In its 24th year, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York saw a record 197 teams, with more than 2,500 paddlers, racing on Meadows Lake at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on August 9-10.

Newly appointed Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York (HKETONY) Steve Barclay enthusiastically took part in the Festival for the first time and officiated at the opening ceremony of the Festival. He also participated in the ceremonial eye-dotting alongside other distinguished guests. Details here.

Director meets Chinese Media in tea gathering
Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, Mr Steve Barclay met with a group of New York-based Chinese media on the premise of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York on August 8. Mr Barclay, who assumed duties as director on August 5, highlighted that Hong Kong was the best gateway to China and said he would strive to strengthen the economic and trade ties with the 31 Eastern states under his ambit. Details here.

New Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York at NYSE bell ringing
The new Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY) Mr Steve Barclay officiated at a “Ring the NYSE Opening Bell” ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange today to usher in the 24th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York. The HKETONY is one of the major sponsors of the colorful festival. The largest multi-cultural festival in the New York metropolitan area and the biggest festival of its kind in the U.S., the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, taking place this Saturday and Sunday (August 9-10), features the New York Dragon Boat Championships and the U.S. Dragon Boat Open Championship Races, at Meadows Lake, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home of the 1964 World's Fair. Details here.

Photo by Ben Hider/NYSE